How can therapy help me?
A skilled counselor can provide emotional support, new perspectives,
and encouragement during difficult times. The process of therapy helps
you develop problem-solving skills, coping strategies, and provides an
emotional foundation for addressing issues such as depression, anxiety,
relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress
management, body image issues, sexual difficulties, existential crises,
and creative blocks. Many people find therapy is a powerful asset
during times of personal and family stress, when embarking on the
exciting process of personal growth and relationship enhancement, and
for gaining mastery over the everyday hassles of life. From the right
therapist you receive fresh perspectives and guidance toward solutions
that work best for you. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on
how well you use the process and whether you put into practice what you
learn through therapy.

Do I really need therapy? I can usually handle my problems.
Everyone goes through challenging situations in life, and while you may
have successfully navigated through other difficulties you've faced,
there's nothing wrong with seeking out extra support when you need it
now. In fact, therapy is for people who have enough self-awareness to
realize they need a helping hand, and that is something to be admired.
You are taking responsibility by accepting where you're at in life and
making a commitment to change the situation by seeking therapy. Therapy
provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you
need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns, and overcome
whatever challenges you face.

Why do people go to therapy and how do I know if it is right for me?
People have different motivations for entering psychotherapy. Some may
be going through a major life transition (unemployment, divorce, new
job, etc.), or are not handling stressful circumstances well. Some
people need assistance managing a range of issues such as low
self-esteem, depression, anxiety, addictions, relationship problems,
spiritual conflicts and creative blocks. Therapy can help provide some
much needed encouragement and help during difficult times. Others may
be at a point where they are ready to learn more about themselves or
want to be more effective and satisfied in life. In short, people
seeking psychotherapy are ready to meet the challenges in their lives
and ready to make changes in their lives.

What is the client’s experience of therapy?
Because each person has different issues and goals for therapy, therapy
will be different depending on the individual. In general, you can
expect to talk about the current events in your life, your personal
history relevant to your issue, and to report progress (or any new
insights gained) from the previous therapy session. These conversations
will lead to deeper understanding and changes in your feelings.
Depending on your specific goals and needs, therapy may be short-term
(to help you achieve a very specific goal) or longer-term (to deal with
more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.)
Either way, it is best to schedule regular sessions with your therapist
(usually weekly).

It is important to understand that you will get more results from
therapy if you actively participate in the process. The ultimate
purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back
into your life. Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions,
your therapist may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to
support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on
specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your
goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes
in their lives; are open to new perspectives and are ready to assume
responsibility for their lives.

What about medication vs. psychotherapy?
It is well established that the long-term solution to mental and
emotional problems and the pain they cause cannot be solved solely by
medication. Instead of just treating the symptom, the counseling
process addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns
that inhibit our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and
a greater sense of well-being with an integrated approach to wellness
-- which generally includes consultation between your physician(s) and
your therapist, and sometimes includes both mediation and counseling.
Our approach prioritizes the healthiest individualized treatment course
possible.

Will insurance pay for therapy with you?
I am not on any insurance provider lists, and your insurance is
unlikely to cover any portion of your therapy with me. To
determine whether this will make much of a difference in the actual
cost of therapy for you, you will want to get answers for the following
questions:

How much will insurance cover or reimburse me for any therapy session?

How many sessions per year will my health insurance cover?

How much is my deductible and have I met it yet?

Is there a therapist on the "provider list" with the right expertise for my concerns.

Does what we talk about in therapy remain confidential?
Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a
client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree
of trust with highly sensitive subject matter that is usually not
discussed anywhere but the therapist's office. Every therapist should
provide a written copy of their confidential disclosure agreement, and
you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with
anyone. This is called “Informed Consent”. Sometimes, however, you may
want your therapist to share information or give an update to someone
on your healthcare team (you’re your Physician, Naturopath, Attorney),
but by law your therapist cannot release this information without
obtaining your written permission.
However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to
maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
Suspected past or present abuse or neglect of children, adults, and
elders to the authorities, including Child Protection and law
enforcement, based on information provided by the client or collateral
sources.
If the therapist has reason to suspect the client is seriously in
danger of harming him/herself or has threatened to harm another person.

Have more questions?
Please contact me directly for further information.